Overijssel Gold Florin

The Overijssel Gold Florin was essentially a knockoff of the Florentine florin, adapted for Dutch trade routes in the early 1400s. That copying helped standardize weights across Europe, making it easier to haggle over herring and cloth without endless disputes.

Details on its production are sparse. We know it was struck in gold, likely from local mines or imported bullion, with designs featuring a shield and cross to denote Overijssel's authority. Records don't specify exact mint locations, though Deventer or Zwolle are probable guesses based on surviving examples. Mintage figures? Gone, probably burned in some archive fire centuries ago.

One oddity: the coin's edge was sometimes irregular, as if the minters rushed to meet trade demands. You can imagine a merchant shrugging at the imperfections—just as long as it weighed right.